The Best Elder Scrolls Online Race

This is a question many players ask themselves when building their ESO characters for the very first time. Naturally, gamers want to chose a Race that suits their playing style, but with all the options made available, how is it possible to know what Race is the best? To help you make a decision, we’ll examine each of the nine Races and then help you pick the very best for your unique playing style.

Human Races

The Bretons are members of The Daggerfall Covenant and hail from High Rock, the western region of Tamriel. Bretons have a natural affinity for both spellcraft and swordplay.

Faction: The Daggerfall Covenant

Bonuses: Magicka, Spell Resistance, Light Armor, Conjuration Magic

Nord

The Nord belong to The Ebonheart Pact and come from the northern province of Skyrim. Living in the cold, northern reaches has given the Nord a strong and hardy nature.

Faction: The Ebonheart Pact

Bonuses: Two-Handed Weapons, Health Regeneration, Frost Resistance

Redguard

The Redguard come from the exotic land of Hammerfell, and are descended from a long line of warriors. These desert dwelling people have a strong legacy as swordmasters.

Faction: The Daggerfall Covenant

Bonuses: Shields, Stamina Regeneration, Increased Power

Elf Races

High Elf

The High Elves (also known as the Altmer) inhabit the Summerset Isles. They are known throughout Tamriel for their strong magical abilities.

Faction: The Aldmeri Dominion

Bonuses: Destruction Spell Damage, Magicka Regeneration

Wood Elf

The Wood Elves (also known as the Bosmer) come from the southwest province of Valenwood. They’re at home in the wilderness and have a natural affinity with the woodlands.

Faction: The Aldmeri Dominion

Bonuses: Archery, Stamina, Stealth

Dark Elf

The Dark Elves (also known as the Dunmer) hail from the province of Morrowind. They are known for their intelligence, agility, and aloofness, preferring to keep to themselves as much as possible.

Faction: The Ebonheart Pact

Bonuses: Dual Wielding, Fire Magic, Fire Resistance

Orc

The Orcs (also known as the Orsimer) are a strong people known for their heavy armor and weapon craftsmanship. While they may look beast-like, the Orcs descended from a group of Aldmer and are part of the Elf race. Living in the harsh mountain regions of western Tamriel has made the Orcs tough and resilient.

Faction: The Daggerfall Covenant

Bonuses: Heavy Armor, Health Regeneration

Beast Races

Argonian

The Argonians are a reptilian people who hail from the region of Black Marsh. Survival in the dangerous swamp environment has given the Argonians a nature resistance to sickness and disease.

Faction: The Ebonheart Pact

Bonuses: Healing, Restoration, Poison Resistance

Khajiit

The Khajiit are a feline people who inhabit the province of Elsweyr. They are known for their strength, agility, and stealth.

Faction: The Aldmeri Dominion

Bonuses: Stealth, Melee Combat

The Best Elder Scrolls Online Race

Now that we’ve examined the nine Races, which one is the best? To answer this question, you first have to determine your unique playing style. Are you:

The type of player that likes to fight, ready to bash and smash opponents in close quarters combat?

The type of player that prefers to use stealth and ranged combat attacks, avoiding close combat if possible?

The type of player that enjoys using magic spells for offense and defensive purposes?

If you’re the first type of player (bash and smash), you’ll most likely be playing a Dragonknight or Templar (for more on ESO class selection, be sure to read our article titled The Best Elder Scrolls Online Character Class). For you, the best Elder Scrolls Online Race is either:

Nord

Redguard

Orc

And possibly:

Breton

Khajiit

If you’re the second type of player (stealth and ranged attacks), you’ll be playing a Nightblade. For you, the best Elder Scrolls Online Race is either:

Wood Elf

Argonian

Khajiit

If you’re the third type of player (magic-user), you’ll be playing a Sorcerer. For you, the best Elder Scrolls Online Race is either:

Breton

High Elf

Dark Elf

Final Thoughts Regarding Race Selection

Picking the best Elder Scrolls Online Race is a personal choice. If your playing style tends toward magic use, are you restricted to being either a Breton, High Elf, or Dark Elf? Absolutely not! The Elder Scrolls Online provides a robust platform where you can create any type of character that you see fit. Do you want to be an Orc Sorcerer? Go for it! How about a High Elf Dragonknight? Nothing’s stopping you.

Remember, the above guidelines are given as a suggestion only, based on the initial strengths and inherent abilities of the different Races. Ultimately the best Elder Scrolls Online Race is the one that will give you the most enjoyment when you adventure in Tamriel. So get out there and start exploring!

About Shane Scarbrough

Shane Scarbrough is the founder of the Skyrim Fansite. He's a business owner, video game journalist, and role playing game aficionado. When he’s not working he enjoys reading, writing, and playing video games. He's currently on his third playthrough of Skyrim, and is playing as a Templar in The Elder Scrolls Online. You can find Shane on Google+ and FaceBook.

Comments

Thanks Nocif — good call, and thanks for catching my mistake. Technically, the Orcs descended from a group of Aldmer and should be listed as one of the Elf races. The common argument is that Orcs are one of the Beast races because they USED to be Elves… this is incorrect and inconsistent with ES lore though, and the correction is forthcoming.

Hey Shane, just wondering how viable a Breton Sword and board character is? I’m getting the game ESO via Playstation when it launches, and I’m torn between redguard or Bretons. I love the Breton armor and culture, and I don’t prefer the Redguard culture ad is, but I can make it work with some imagination! As someone who already plays ESO, is this a viable build? (P.S, I’m looking at DK or Temp. For my classes)

Thanks for writing 🙂 Yes, a Breton sword and board character build is definitely viable. If you go with the Templar class, The Tamriel Foundry has a nice character build designed for a 1H + Shield Breton: Valiant Breton Templar Tanking Build.

The really cool thing about ESO is that you’re not truly limited by Race. Any Race can wear any armor style (and yes, the Breton armor is really cool — especially the Heavy Armor IMO). True, certain Races have certain strengths and inherent abilities right out of the gate, but nothing that can’t be overcome. You’ll be spending hundreds of hours playing your main character, so I think it’s more important to pick a Race you like (culture, lore, etc.).